Spanish shipbuilder Navantia has launched the second auxiliary oiler replenishment (AOR) vessel on order for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
The future HMAS Stalwart being launched at Ferrol, Spain. (Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Defence)
The double-hulled vessel, which will be known as HMAS Stalwart , with pennant number A304 once it is in service, was launched on 30 August in Ferrol, Spain. It is part of an AUD642 million (USD430 million) contract in May 2016 under Australia's Project Sea 1654 Phase 3 Maritime Operational Support Capability programme.
The programmeā€™s first-of-class, Supply , was launched in November 2018 at the same location. The class derives its design from the Spanish Armadaā€™s supply ship SPS Cantabria , and will have an overall length of 173.9 m, an overall beam of 23 m, and a hull draught of 8 m.
The vessel is powered by two MAN 18V 32/40 main engines and four MAN 7L21/31 generator sets, and can attain a top speed of 20 kt and a standard range of 6,000 n miles (11,110 km) at 13 kt.
The oiler can carry 1,450 m 3 of JP5 jet fuel, 8,200 m 3 of marine diesel, and 140 m 3 of fresh water. It can also transport 270 tonnes of ammunition and 470 tonnes of provisions. It can accommodate up to 122 personnel, including crew, and carry one helicopter on its flight deck. Stalwart is expected to enter service in 2022, while supply is scheduled to be commissioned in 2020.
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